ATLalien
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2019
- Threads
- 10
- Messages
- 177
- Reaction score
- 255
- Location
- North Georgia
- Vehicle(s)
- Gladiator Overland
- Thread starter
- #1
So, I'm completely inexperienced with towing and just bought a 2005 Fleetwood Sea pine pop up camper. Dry weight around 1700 pds, 2500 pds gross. Don't expect it to be very difficult for the gladiator to pull, but I have alot of questions on the brake system and set up needed. I've seen lot's of posts on towing larger RV's that concentrate on the towing capacities and such, but not much for newbies only towing a small load.
The camper is supposed to be equipped with electric brakes, I assume a brake controller is necessary to activate the brakes on the camper? Or does plugging in to one of the electric connectors on the bumper allow the electric brakes on the camper to function in addition to the lights? If it does require a brake controller to activate the camper brakes, should I even worry about that with such a small load?
Just thinking that even though it's well below the towing capacity, coming to a stop with 2000pds pushing would still be alot for the vehicle brakes alone.
I'm also trying to figure out if I need to purchase a hitch with a drop or without one. The guy I'm buying the camper from was towing behind a Tahoe with maybe a 1"drop, and I think the rear of the gladiator may be taller than the Tahoe. But he seemed to think that a straight hitch would be fine. Current plan is to buy a hitch with at least a 1" drop on one side, but reverseable to straight level on the other side.
I would guess a weight distribution hitch, or anti sway equipment would not be needed for a pop up of this size?
Anyone have experience towing a pop up with the gladiator? Any tips for a total newbie or anything I may be missing?
Pretty excited about the camper, and getting out in it with the family. Looks incredibly clean for the age and everything appears to work.
The camper is supposed to be equipped with electric brakes, I assume a brake controller is necessary to activate the brakes on the camper? Or does plugging in to one of the electric connectors on the bumper allow the electric brakes on the camper to function in addition to the lights? If it does require a brake controller to activate the camper brakes, should I even worry about that with such a small load?
Just thinking that even though it's well below the towing capacity, coming to a stop with 2000pds pushing would still be alot for the vehicle brakes alone.
I'm also trying to figure out if I need to purchase a hitch with a drop or without one. The guy I'm buying the camper from was towing behind a Tahoe with maybe a 1"drop, and I think the rear of the gladiator may be taller than the Tahoe. But he seemed to think that a straight hitch would be fine. Current plan is to buy a hitch with at least a 1" drop on one side, but reverseable to straight level on the other side.
I would guess a weight distribution hitch, or anti sway equipment would not be needed for a pop up of this size?
Anyone have experience towing a pop up with the gladiator? Any tips for a total newbie or anything I may be missing?
Pretty excited about the camper, and getting out in it with the family. Looks incredibly clean for the age and everything appears to work.
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